Fired Md. firefighter claims gender bias

WESTMINSTER — A former Sykesville firefighter claims that gender discrimination led to her firing after she took time off for pregnancy and the birth of her son.

The Carroll County Times reports that Robin Lancaster of Westminster filed the complaint against the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department in state court last month. It was moved to U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Tuesday.

The fire department referred calls about the case to attorney Jo Anna Schmidt in Baltimore. Schmidt didn’t immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.

Lancaster alleges her firing violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Her complaint states that she was fired without explanation after she notified the department she planned to return to work a month after giving birth.